It’s 73 degrees and partly cloudy in Rio. Lows are around 63 and the sea breeze is decidedly nippy. You know what that means? Shake out the sweaters and get the mold off that leather coat. It’s winter in Rio!
Of course, this only applies if you’re a Carioca. If you are from pretty much anywhere else (ok, anywhere outside of the tropics) you grab a light jacket to wear over your tank top or opt for a long-sleeve t-shirt (the sleeves of which will be pushed up for the entire day until the sun sets). But if you are Carioca, you’ll wear enough layers to be comfortable in deep space.
The Carioca reaction to cool weather is charming. The temperature drops below 80 and store mannequins are clothed in knee-length coats and turtleneck sweaters. A drizzly rain plus a temperature of 60 degrees requires scarves, gloves, and boots. While the Carioca may dislike having to wear closed toed shoes, it does give her a chance to wear that beautiful leather coat she bought in Buenos Aires.
I’ll admit the last two days have been chilly. I brought a jean jacket with me to class last night, but even with the jacket, I seemed to be dressed for an entirely different climate than the office staff. One assistant was wearing what appeared to be a wool sweater over a long-sleeved, button-up shirt. The office manager was dressed in a black suit, with jacket buttoned, black stockings and pumps. While I don’t know how they avoided heat exhaustion, they both looked killer.
And that’s what I miss about winter. The clothes. I do not like cold weather and unless you’re in a Lifetime Christmas special, snow is simply a cold, wet mess. I do, however, miss the clothes. Turtle necks, long coats tied at the waist, gloves, lined slacks, boots, sweater vests, corduroy pants, jewel toned anything. The human race appears so much more competent in winter attire.
Would you want the guy in the speedo and tennis shoes holding the nuclear codes? No. Nothing says “We’re doomed!” like a speedo accessorized with gold chains and athletic footwear.
I do love the weather in Rio. The lack of freezing temperatures is one of the city’s greatest assets. But I miss the sophistication of winter clothes. And a speedo with a parka on top does not count.
